HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR VITILIGO AND LEUCODERMA

Vitiligo  is a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable. It can affect the skin on any part of your body. It may also affect hair, the inside of the mouth and even the eyes.

Normally, the color of hair, skin and eyes is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning.

Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. It can be stressful or make you feel bad about yourself.

Causes--Vitiligo occurs when melanin-forming cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. The involved patches of skin become lighter or white. Doctors don't know why the cells fail or die. It may be related to:

 A disorder in which your immune system attacks and destroys the melanocytes in the skin

  Family history (heredity)

 A trigger event, such as sunburn, stress or exposure to industrial chemicals

On the other hand Leucoderma has different cause of onset. The difference in vitiligo and Leucoderma is only their onset. Vitiligo is self-generated while Leucoderma can occur after a cut, a burn or after allergy from some chemical. So basically cause of Leucoderma can be said accidental. Leucoderma cure is possible faster than vitiligo cure.

Symptoms--The main sign of vitiligo and leucoderma is color (pigment) loss that produces light or white patches on your skin. Usually, the discoloration first shows on sun-exposed areas, such as the hands, feet, arms, face and lips.

Vitiligo and leucoderma signs include:

Skin discoloration

  Premature whitening or graying of the hair on your scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or beard (usually before age 35)

  Loss of color in the tissues that line the inside of your mouth and nose (mucous membranes)

  Loss of or change in color of the inner layer of the eyeball (retina)

  Discolored patches around the armpits, navel, genitals and rectum

Vitiligo can start at any age, but most often appears before age 20.

Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, the discolored patches may cover:

Many parts of your body. With this most common type, called generalized vitiligo, the discolored patches often progress similarly on corresponding body parts (symmetrically).

Only one side or part of your body. This type, called segmental vitiligo, tends to occur at a younger age, progress for a year or two, then stop.

One or only a few areas of your body. This type is called localized (focal) vitiligo.

It's difficult to predict how your disease will progress. Sometimes the patches stop forming without treatment. In most cases, pigment loss spreads and eventually involves most of your skin. Rarely, the skin gets its color back.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are found to be very effective for the treatment of vitiligo and leucoderma. Some of the important remedies are given below.

TUBERCULINUM 200- Treatment should be started with this remedy. A dose of 200 potency should be given every month along with the following remedies

ARS . SULPH. FLAVATUM 6- Vitiligo or leucoderma  especially at mucocutaneous junction. It is one of the top remedies for vitiligo and leucoderma. The skin is  very dry, cracked , scaly and blackish in appearance. Leucoderma that occurs along with eruptions, especially on the outer as well as inner side of the left wrist.

HYDROCOTYLE 3X- If Ars sulph flav fails this remedy may be tried. It should be used for a long  time.

BARYTA CARBONICUM 30--Baryta Carbonicum is an excellent  medicine for leucoderma with burning sensation. It acts well when white patches are present along with intolerable itching and tingling over the whole body at night. Baryta Carbonicum is most indicated when a person has sensations like pricks of burning needles along with itching and crawling on the skin. The person feels good in a warm atmosphere; while exposure to cold makes him feel unwell.

 

BARYTA MURIATICA 30-Barta mur. is best for leucoderma having small spots. The patient  has small spots and whitish patches all around his head, nape of the neck, abdomen and thighs. These white spots are often associated with itchy eruptions all over the exposed parts of the body

CALCAREA CARB 30--Calcarea Carb is a top grade constitutional homeopathic medicine for Vitiligo and Leucoderma  It is prescribed to patients of Vitiligo with milky white spots on skin. These white spots can appear anywhere on the body. There  is a  tendency to free perspiration over the head, neck and chest. Next is intolerance to cold weather. Certain peculiar cravings may be present are – eggs, lime, pencils. Person needing Calcarea Carb may show tendency to catch cold easily. Weakness of bone may also be found. Easily fatigued by exertion . Tendency to chronic constipation and obesity also guides the selection of Calcarea Carb in vitiligo. On mental sphere the person may shows a number of fears. The prominent fears among them are fear of misfortune, of contagious disease, of losing reason and of insanity.

BORAX 30- Borax is prescribed when white skin with red patches occurs.

ARSENICUM ALB 30--Arsenic Album is  another effective  remedy for vitiligo or leucoderma  in persons prone to dry, rough skin. The skin shows whitish spots and skin is dry, dirty and rough. The skin complaint alternating with respiratory complaints like asthma is a strong pointer for using homeopathic medicine Arsenic Album. In general sphere warmth is a relieving factor for persons needing Arsenic album. Warm applications over skin and warm drinks are highly desirable. Burning sensations in varying body parts may also be noticed. Extreme exhaustion may also be present. There are peculiar constitutional symptoms that allow us to select Arsenic Album in vitiligo treatment. The most prominent out of these are fears and anxieties. This remedy is often indicated in persons who have fears including that of death,  disease,  germs and of catching infection. Patients requiring Arsenic Album are highly anxious personalities. They may show anxieties  about health,  trifles and anxiety about others. Marked restlessness is often seen on both mental and physical planes in persons needing Arsenic Album. Next distinctive feature for selecting Arsenic Album in vitiligo is fastidiousness. Person demanding extreme neatness and order in everything are yet another suitable subjects requiring Arsenic Album.

CAUSTICUM 30—Causticum is best for leucoderma  from burns.

SEPIA 30--Sepia is another important remedy for vitiligo or leucoderma  treatment.   Constitutional symptoms that indicate the use of  sepia are – having an indifferent approach towards life and family. They show aversion towards family members and friends who were once loved with great affection. They lack interest in doing any work. Tendency to avoid both Physical or mental labor is present . They are constantly depressed with marked irritability, weeping tendency, desire to be alone and an aversion to consolation or sympathy. The use of Sepia must also be thought in women with menstrual irregularities or those around menopausal age with tendency to hot flushes. It is also useful for vitiligo at the tip os penis

NITRIC ACID 30-Nitric acid is prescribed when Vitiligo or Leucoderma occurs  especially at mucocutaneous junction. Discoloured zigzag patches on the skin. The base looks like raw flesh.

SILICEA 30- Silicea  is another top remedy for  vitiligo or leucoderma .  The constitutional  symptoms that indicate the use of  Silicea are –   pale and waxy skin; tendency to excessive perspiration on hands and feet; tendency to eruptions with pus formation in various body parts; tendency to catch cold on frequent basis; lean, thin physical makeup . There are few characteristic mind symptoms that need attention when selecting Silicea. The main mind symptom are timidity and an under-confident nature. Silicea may be thought of in people who seem under-confident, fear public speaking, are timid and bashful. Obstinate behavior and stubbornness may also indicate its use .

PSORALEA CORYL. 3X- 5 drops daily is an excellent remedy for vitiligo or leucoderma.. It is used externally in the form of oil. After applying the oil , exposure to sun rays must be avoided .

STAPHYSAGRIA 30-Staphysagria is prescribed when Vitiligo is present  at the tip of penis. Itching, scratching changes location of itching occurs.

SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is a deep acting homeopathic medicine used frequently in treatment of varying skin diseases including vitiligo or leucoderma. It goes deep inside the basic root cause to annihilate the disease in its complete extent. The persons requiring homeopathic medicine Sulphur usually show a philosophical mind set. They are popularly referred as ‘ragged philosophers’. Their mind is constantly occupied with various theories and plans. As a result they suffer from mental fatigue and absent mindedness. They take little or no care for their physical appearance and even show aversion to bathing. Persons who have suffered a lot from skin troubles, itchy skin with long term use of ointments are also likely to be benefited from use of homeopathic medicine Sulphur. Apart from all above said symptoms burning sensations in various body parts may be present along with white spots on skin.  An extra ordinary craving for sweets may also be shown as a constitutional symptom.